All-time Euro XI: anyone here who could make it?

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Now we’ve seen all 16 teams in action at Euro 2008, here’s a question for you. Could anyone here play their way into the All-time Greats XI?

I first saw a match in the European Nations Cup, as it then was, in 1968 when England beat Spain 1-0 in a qualifier at Wembley to reach the four-team finals in Italy.

Strange to think that at the time, England were the world champions and Spain were the European Champions — and neither country has won anything since. Anyway, as we all like a good argument, here is my selection for the All-time Greats XI.

(The only qualification was that the player was on the winning team in the final)

GIACINTO FACCHETTI (Italy 1968) One of the greatest left-backs in soccer history led Italy to their first European success on home soil in 1968. The semi-final against the Soviet Union was decided on the toss of a coin. He called correctly.

MIDFIELD:

GUENTER NETZER (West Germany 1972) Reached the zenith of his career in 1972 with a series of brilliant midfield displays. His performance against England at Wembley in the quarter-finals ranks as one of the greatest ever at the stadium. Against the Soviets in the final he was even better.

RUUD GULLIT (Netherlands 1988) Captained the Netherlands to victory in 1988, scoring with a memorable header in the final.

ALAIN GIRESSE (France 1984) The diminutive dynamo of one of the greatest midfields ever assembled powered France to success in Paris in 1984.

GERD MUELLER (West Germany 1972) His total of 14 goals in the 1970 and 1974 World Cup finals overshadow the 11 he scored in the 1972 Euros – six in qualifying and five in the finals with two in the final against the Soviet Union.

MICHEL PLATINI (France 1984) Now the UEFA president, but two decades ago the brilliant Frenchman produced the greatest ever performance in the history of the competition, scoring nine goals and leading France to their first international trophy.

I don’t think anyone here is going to get in after this tournament alone. If Portugal win it you might be able to say that Ronaldo or someone is on the way but he’s not done enough in his career yet. Same goes for most of the other highly fancied players. Maybe you could say Deco, for taking Portugal close last time, while Thierry henry was in the team of the tournament in 2000 and if he has another good one here he could be a contender. Can’t think of many others.